Catalina Goby (Lythrypnus dalli)
The Catalina Goby (Lythrypnus dalli) known to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as the Blue-banded Goby is native to the cold waters off the Eastern Pacific coast of the United States, particularly on the coasts of Catalina Island and Baja Mexico. Its range extends from the islands of California to the coasts of Peru.
The Catalina Goby is found in and among the rocks of the rocky open ocean areas of their range alone, in pairs, and in small groups; often with the Catalina Zebra Goby (Lythrypnus zebra) at depths from 2 to over 250 feet. When threatened, they hide among the rocks and the spines of long spined sea urchins.
Catalina Goby (Lythrypnus dalli)
The Catalina Goby has a bright red body with a vivid blue mask and vertical blue stripes on the front half of its body, and a yellow tint on the tail. Males are normally larger than females and have a longer dorsal fin with black tips on the longest dorsal fin rays.
Catalina Gobies are hermaphrodites. The larger males can change their sex when needed.
A single Blue-banded Goby can be housed in a nano tank of at least 10 gallon capacity with a sandy or fine coralline gravel substrate and plenty of aged live rock arranged into caves, crevices, and overhangs for them to hide among. Filtration and water changes are important to remove nitrates from the tank. Because of their cool water requirements; a chiller system, good protein skimmer and good filtration system is highly recommended.
Small groups of Lythrypnus dalli can be housed together in larger aquariums along with other peaceful species of the same general size and same water parameters. The Catalina Goby is not shy and can often be seen perched on the live rock guarding its territory. They are completely reef safe and will not harm other peaceful fish, corals, or invertebrates.
Blue-spotted jawfish, Hula fish, Rhino belly, Cataline Zebra Gobies and Ventralis Anthias are all good tank mates for Catalina gobies.
The Catalina Goby will breed in an aquarium environment. Although each individual has the reproductive capabilities of both genders, they can be one gender at any given time. When a Catalina Goby is unsuccessful trying to mate as a male, it can switch to a female.
Behavioral males are generally larger than females. When ready to breed, the behavioral male selects a cave where he can safely care for his brood, and lures a female inside. After spawning, the female will attach her fertilized eggs onto the walls of the cave where the male cares for them until they hatch out. As the fry grow into adulthood, they pair off based on size and the larger fish in the pair becomes a male. Should any member of the pair dies, the remaining partner may change sex to initiate another pair off.
In their natural environment, the Catalina Goby feeds on the small meaty particles suspended in water, small crustaceans, and tiny herbaceous foods like seaweed. In an aquarium environment, they will accept almost any small, meaty prepared or frozen food including finely chopped Mysis shrimp, CYCLOP-EEZE®, and vitamin-enriched brine shrimp. They will also accept sinking pellets or flake foods when they settle into the aquarium .
The Catalina Goby (Lythrypnus dalli) is occasionally available to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as wild caught specimens from a variety of online retailers, wholesalers, and transhippers at the following approximate purchase sizes: Small 1/2″ to 1″; Medium 1″ to 1-1/2″. Prices for small size specimens start at around $ $ 79.99
NOTE: This species thrives in water temperatures between 60° F and 70° F; It cannot acclimate to the warmer conditions. Although the Catalina Goby may tolerate warmer, tropical temperatures found in most reef aquariums, it will be only for a short time. When housed in tropical temperatures for extended periods, they experience decreased resistance to disease and will ultimately die.
Catalina Goby (Lythrypnus dalli)
Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallon nano tank
Aquarium Type: Reef or FOLR
Care Level: Expert Only
Temperament: Peaceful
Aquarium Hardiness: Hardy
Water Conditions: 60.2 – 71.6° F, dKH 8 – 12°, pH 8.1–8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max size: 2.5″
Color Form: Blue, Orange, Red
Diet: Carnivore
Compatibility: Reef Safe
Origin: Eastern Pacific, Baha Mexico
Family: Gobiidae
Lifespan: up to 3 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Expert
